UAE National Media Authority takes legal action over insulting social media posts

The UAE’s National Media Authority (NMA) has initiated legal action against a female resident for social media content deemed insulting to Emirati women. As part of the enforcement, the authority suspended the individual’s Mu’lin advertising permit for three months, citing breaches of media standards and executive regulations.

The NMA stated it will not tolerate content that undermines the status and contributions of Emirati women or conflicts with national identity and community values. In a related development, the Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) issued a statement clarifying it has no affiliation with the individual or the content in question, and is coordinating with authorities to limit the circulation of false claims linking the organization to the posts.

Under the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes, using information technology to insult others or make accusations that lead to contempt can result in imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000. The NMA’s regulatory standards apply to both traditional media and digital content creators, prohibiting material that attacks religion, national identity, or social cohesion.